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Munros
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An Coileachan (923m, Munro 266)
Meall Gorm (949m Munro 215)
Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich (954m Munro 209)
Sgurr Mor (1110m Munro 43)
Meall na Crasgaidh (934m Munro 243)
Sgurr nan Clach Geala (1093m Munro 53)
Sgurr na Each (923m Munro 267)
Sgurr Breac (999m Munro 138)
A'Chailleach (997m Munro 144)
Fionn Bheinn* (933m Munro 246)
* see alternative routes below
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Corbetts
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Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghuibhais Li* (766m)
* see alternative routes below
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Ascent
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2900m (9,500ft)
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Distance
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35km (22m)
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Time
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walking : 13:30hr*, running : 7:30hr,
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
The Fannichs form a long chain of peaks in the high ground above Loch Fannich and south of Loch Glascarnoch and Loch a'Bhraoin.
Regardless of approach, it takes some effort to get onto the main ridge, but once up, progress for the most part is easy while following paths over grass.
The main route attacks the Munros from the north beginning at Loch Glascarnoch and ending at Loch a'Bhraoin.
A fine alternative is to head up to Fannich Lodge on the private road by bike (or with permission by car) and bag the peaks from the south. This also allows for the possible inclusion of Fionn Bheinn in a long day's circuit.
Easier options include taking Fionn Bheinn from Achnasheen and bagging the other nine peaks in bite-size chunks from the north.
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
Starting from the western end of Loch Glascarnoch, this route takes in 9 munros peaks in a east to west direction. Fine views improve further the more west and higher you proceed. Leave a bike at Loch a'Bhraoin for the cycle back to the car.
An Coileachan
Park by the Loch Glascarnoch Weather Station, just west of the western end of the loch. A signs directs you eastwards to the 'Suggested route' to Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich via Altan Wood. Quite why you would want to take this route to Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich is beyond me ! It is however an ideal way to head to An Coileachan. From the sign by the road, head up the track through the forest for 2km. Out the other end a sign points to a bridge, cross this and follow a faint path up the Abhainn a'Ghuithais Li to another bridge. Cross the river again via this bridge and strike ssw uphill over heathery ground and aim for Loch Gorm. At the se of this loch there is a bealach with a path across it starting up the northern side of An Coileachan. The path fades out higher up, but keep slightly w of the crest and you'll continue over grassy ground and avoid most of the boulder field. There's a large carin on the summit with plenty of shelter out of any westerly winds.
Meall Gorm
Leave An Coileachan and return along the route up for 0.5km to hit boulders. Turn wnw and reach grassy Bealach Ban, where a faint path is picked up. Follow this uphill to the bouldery summit ahead, then continue along the crest to Meall Gorm, encountering a collapsed stalkers shelter on the way. Not the most exciting summit !
Beinn Liath Mor Fannaich
Continue along the crest, dropping around 100m, then pick up a stalkers path coming up from the south. This path skirts around the next bump and up Meall nam Peithirean. From this minor top, head nw and start climbing up Sgurr Mor. Look out for a path on the right that heads into the coire. This path contours around Sgurr Mor and brings you out on Sgurr Mor's eastern arm to a small stone shelter. A path continues ne downhill for 1km to the bealach below Beinn Laith Mhor Fannaich, then climbs up the western side of this peak. Continue to the highest point on the path, then turn se to climb up around 50m to reach the two untidy cairns on the summit.
Sgurr Mor
Return to the stone shelter, then follow the path that heads directly up Sgurr Mor, hugging the coire and gradually changing direction from east to aim north. A large well-constructed cairn sits on the summit. This is a superb vantage point with wonderful views in all directions.
Meall a'Chrasgaidh
North-west from Sgurr Mor a path heads downhill through the boulders and scree. As it levels out the ground underfoot becomes grassy and easier to progress over. The path zig-zags up an obvious line to the minor top of Carn na Criche. In good weather the route from Carn na Criche to Meall a'Chrasgaidh is obvious, however if in mist, keep on the path heading west for 0.5km, then turn north-west on pathless ground for a further 0.5km to reach some wet ground. Turn nnw uphill for just over another 0.5km on grassy, then bouldery ground to reach the summit cairn. Fine views along to An Teallach over the Destitution Road.
Sgurr na Clach Geala
Return to the wet bealach, then head for a large boulder sse ahead. Just above this boulder is a lochan, head around the western end of this, then start climbing up easy scree. Occasional clambering up will get you to a path that follows around Sgurr nan Clach Geala's coire. Some care is needed to continue to the ruined trig point on the small summit. An excellent spot to stop and take in the views.
Sgurr nan Each
Sgurr nan Each appears tiny below, but there is a bit of ascent to get up it ! From Sgurr nan Clach Geala's trig point, stick on the path that follows the ridge se. After just under 200m, turn s, still on the path and start heading downhill - there's nearly 300m of descent. At the col, keep on the path and follow the edge of the coire up to Sgurr nan Each's cairn.
Sgurr Bhreac
Return to the col, then turn west and start losing height. It's grassy underfoot, but care is needed as hidden holes lie waiting in the wet reeds. After dropping 250m, the bealach below Sgurr Breac is reached. You might baulk at the though of the 400m ascent awaiting ahead, particularly towards the end of the day. But persist - it is a haul up right enough, but mainly over grass covered ground following a pretty good path for most of the way. Sgurr Breac has two cairns on its summit plateau.
A'Chailleach
Continue west over Sgurr Breac on its path and drop to a col. Ahead is the minor top of Toman Coinich, cross over this and drop to another col below A'Chailleach and above Loch Toll an Lochain. Follow a line of fence-posts and the path to the small cairn on the summit. Fine views to finish the day off.
Return
Return to the col below Toman Coinich, then contour ne around this peak. Though not obvious at first, a path is picked up and followed on the western side of Druim Reidh. The northern end of Druim Reidh is reached, where the ground flattens and becomes quite wet with occasional peat hags. Turn ne and head for a cairn which marks the top of the path down. Twisty and mucky in bits, the path is obvious and heads down to a bridge at the eastern end of Loch a'Bhraoin. Pick up a track at the boat-house and head to the lay-by on the A832, the 'Destitution Road'. Hopefully you've arranged some transport back to Loch Glascarnoch.
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Winter evening sunset on Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghiubhais Li from Am Faochagach
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Meall Gorm and An Coileachan from Sgurr Mor
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Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich and Wyvis from Sgurr Mor
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Sgurr Mor from Eididh nan Clach Geala
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Meall a'Chrasgaidh from Carn na Criche
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Eididh nan Clach Geala from Carn na Criche
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Eididh nan Clach Geala from Meall a'Chrasgaidh
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South over Loch Fannaich from Eididh nan Clach Geala
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A'Chailleach above Loch Toll an Lochain
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Loch a'Bhraoin at the Fannaichs western end, looking to Slioch
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Fionn Bheinn from Slioch
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Fionn Bheinn's northern coire with Slioch beyond
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Fionn Bheinn Ascent : 830m, distance : 11km
Fionn Bheinn is an easy grass covered hill with a summit that gives great views to the other Fannaichs
The Fannaichs from Fannich Lodge Ascent : 2850m, distance : 37.5km
A private road heads into Loch Fannich, from where all 9 Munro peaks can be bagged in a circuit.
A'Chailleach and Sgurr Bhreac Ascent : 1175m, distance : 16km
From the car-park on Destitution Road, the two westerly Fannaichs are easily bagged from Loch a'Bhraoin
The middle peaks are accessed from Loch a'Bhraoin via fine paths
Long trudge over heather to gain the westerly Fannaich peaks, finishing the days off on fine tracks
Fionn Bheinn
Ascent : 830m, distance : 11km
Fionn Bheinn is not a particulary exciting or interesting hill, however due to its isolation, the summit affords great views to the other Fannaichs and peaks to the west. On a clear day the route couldn't be more obvious.
Note this is a revised route ! To avoid disturbing the working farm, follow this route from Achnasheen and not any others in publications or websites that detail a route through the farm.
Park by the railway station in Achnasheen, then cross the main road and head towards a phone box. Aiming west, go over the old bridge, then take first right  - a sign erected by the council with boot prints points the way ahead through a gate. Up to Water Authority buildings, through another gate, then follow a faint path between a burn and a fence uphill. You'll come to a small fenced area - an old listening station from the 'Cold War', around it and through a final gate  . Now with the fence-line on your left, start climbing up pathless grassy ground aiming north-north-west. Over one bump marked Creagan nan Laogh  , then more of the same to Fionn Bheinn's crest above its coire - Toll Mor  . An obvious path is then followed westwards and the summit trig point is just a few minutes further on. Return by the same route.
The Fannaichs from Fannich Lodge
Ascent : 2850m, distance : 37.5km
Hidden in trees just east of Grudie Power Station, a private road heads to Loch Fannich.
There's no problem cycling up here, but it is also possible to drive with permission from the estate keeper (01997414318).
There's a cottage for rent here too !
During August to October, the estate asks if you can contact the keeper to find out where stalking is taking place.
The road has been tarred to the lodge, thereafter a rough, but cyclable track heads west for 6km to a ruin at Nest.
A wet path heads north to a bridge, turn north-west over wet grass and tussocks and climb to the bealach between Toman Coinnich and A'Chailleach.
Bag the munros in the reverse of the main route and reach An Coileachan.
Aim south over grass then heather and drop back down to Loch Fannich.
A'Chailleach and Sgurr Bhreac
Ascent : 1175m, distance : 16km
From the lay-by on the Destitution Road, 6km on from Braemore Junction, head down on the track to Loch a'Bhraoin. Cross to bridge and start to head uphill. A wet path climbs directly up towards the crags of Leitir Fhearna, getting drier and twisty further up. A small cairn is reached at the top of this craggy nose, from which continue on a faint and occasionally wet path over grass for 1km sw. The path turns s, then instead of keeping to the crest, suprisingly starts to contour on the west side of Druim Reidh. Keep on this path which continues to the col between A'Chailleach and Toman Coinich, hitting a bouldery section on the way. At the col follow a line of fence posts and obvious path to the summit of A'Chailleach.Return to the col, head over Toman Coinich to another col, then on a path head up to the two summit cairns of Sgurr Breac.
For the return you could re-visit Toman Coinich and head out on the route in. However I've found it more enjoyable to run down the east shoulder of Sgurr Breac, then pick up a good, if wet, path heading north following the Allt Breabaig back to Loch a'Bhraoin.
Meall a'Chrasgaidh, Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr nan Each
Ascent : 1150m, distance : 17km
Start as the route above and head down to Loch a'Bhraoin. Cross the bridge, then head se on the wet path to meet the Allt Breabaig. The path crosses the river (difficult in spate), from where head ese uphill over heather to climb up 650m to Meall a'Chrasgaidh. Bag Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr nan Each, then head down to the pass between Loch Fannaich and Loch a'Bhraoin as described in the main route. From the pass pick up a good path heading north back to Loch a'Bhraoin and to the road.
An Coileachean, Meall Gorm, Sgurr Mor and Beinn Liath Mor Fannaich with the corbett Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghuibhais Li
Ascent : 1400m, distance : 22km
From Loch Glascarnoch start off as in the main route, but once you get to the end of the forest, turn east and aim uphill. Just aim directly for Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghuibhais Li's summit. It's fairly quick to get to and has fine views of the surrounding peaks.
Aim south-west and drop to the flat ground below and continue over Drochaid a'Ghiubhais Li to Meallan Buidhe - it's a trudge ! From Meallan Buidhe, follow the main route as described on the left and climb up An Coileachan then Meall Gorm. Continue along Meall Gorm's crest, dropping around 100m, then pick up a stalkers path which skirts around the next bump and up Meall nam Peithirean. From this minor top, head nw and climb up Sgurr Mor. From Sgurr Mor's large cairn, return a bit, then follow a path around the edge of the coire heading south-east. Drop to a small stone shelter, then continue on the path north-east downhill for 1km to the bealach below Beinn Laith Mhor Fannaich. Stick to the path ahead and continue to its highest point, where turn south-east and climb up around 50m to reach the two untidy cairns on the summit. Return to the top of the path, then follow it to an abrupt end. Head north over a plateau, then, still heading north, start to descend over heather and boulders to reach the Allt a'Mhadaidh. Cross the river and pick up a track to follow to the dam at Loch Droma. A 3km jog back along the A835 awaits for the return back to the car-park.
North
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Inverlael
Varied peaks in the vast area east of Ullapool. You'll need good navigation skills in poor visibility
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North-east
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Carn Chuinneag
Coming soon.
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East
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Ben Wyvis and Little Wyvis
Recently improved paths tackle the errosion on Inverness's 'Ben'
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South
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Strathconon Forest
Coming soon.
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West
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Slioch
Majestic and appearing quite impenetrable, Slioch is actually easily accessed from Loch Maree
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North-west
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An Teallach and Fisherfield
Dramatic An Teallach leads into a remote area with some wonderful peaks
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